do plants need saucers

Whilst they aren't necessary, plant pots use saucers to collect the water that drains from your pot. Without this, it can easily spill onto your carpets, floors and furniture. So after each watering, your saucer will capture the excess water, preventing any spillage in your home.

Why do you need a saucer?

The saucer is useful for protecting surfaces from possible damage due to the heat of a cup, and to catch overflow, splashes, and drips from the cup, thus protecting both table linen and the user sitting in a free-standing chair who holds both cup and saucer.

Do you need a tray for indoor plants?

Saucers under plants are shallow dishes used to catch excess water that drains from a container planting. ... Standing water can promote excess soil moisture and cause plant roots to rot. Plant saucers can also be used with outdoor containers. Just as those used indoors, they will need to be drained after each watering.

What do you put under plant pots?

Line a drainage saucer with a layer of pebbles, gravel or sand, which allows the container to drain freely and prevents the bottom of the pot from standing in water.

Do Grow bags need saucers?

Since grow bags are so porous and drain fast, they do need more frequent watering than a plastic container. If you use them indoors be sure to put them on a large saucer to contain any leakage. Taller plants (such as tomatoes) need support.

Can you leave plants in plastic pots?

Don't be too quick to move them

The solution: Keep your houseplants in their plastic nursery pots for at least the first year. You can still use your pretty pot, Lawrence and Gutierrez say. ... Never put the plant in the bottom of the pot and cover it with soil because that can suffocate the plant.

Should I put rocks in the bottom of my potted plants?

In general, it's not necessary to put rocks in the bottom of plant pots. One rock to cover the drainage hole is enough – just enough so that the soil doesn't leach out of the bottom but water can flow freely through the pot. Putting rocks in plant pots doesn't aid drainage or improve air circulation.

Why is the color of plant pots important?

The color of plant pots is important because it can play a role in how much heat the pots will retain. Dark-colored pots will absorb more sunlight and retain heat longer than light-colored ones.

Are plastic or clay pots better for plants?

Clay pots provide a healthy environment for most plants. The porosity of clay allows air and moisture to penetrate the sides of the pot. ... Other gardeners who wait for the wilting signal from their plants are better off with plastic. Plants which demand a well-drained, dry soil like cacti also prefer clay pots.

Do outdoor plant pots need saucers?

This week's gardening tips: Unless it's absolutely necessary, avoid placing saucers underneath outdoor container plants. Saucers full of water will keep the soil in the pots too wet, an unhealthy condition for most plants. In addition, saucers full of water provide breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Should you drill holes in flower pots?

Potted plants need holes in their containers to allow drainage, which supports plant growth. ... Most plant pots include bottom drainage holes. If, however, you find one without bottom holes or you want to turn another kind of container into a plant pot, you can add drainage holes to it. A drill makes the job simple.

Can I grow cucumbers in a grow bag?

Growing bags are ideal for plants that don't have deep roots, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, chilli peppers, aubergines and courgettes. Plant two to three plants in each bag during spring. Alternatively, cut a long panel in the top of the bag and sow salads in rows.

What size grow bags to use?

Generally, grow bags under two gallons are suited to plants with a diameter less than 8” and growing no taller than 9.5”, while 5 and 8 gallon grow bags are better suited to potato growing. It should be noted that when you're buying your grow bags, it shouldn't be assumed that the bigger bags can grow anything.

How long can a potted plant live?

On average, indoor house plants last 2-5 years. After that, plants stop thriving and it's best to invest in another plant.

Can plants grow in pots without holes?

Is it possible to keep your plant in a pot without drainage holes? Our answer is yes, but with caution. ... Drainage holes allow excess water to seep out of pots after watering, ensuring that water does not pool at the base of a pot, helping to protect sensitive roots from rot, fungus and bacteria.

Do plants grow better in pots or in the ground?

In comparison to the ground, containers hold substantially less growing media. ... This means their surface-area-to-volume ratio is far greater, which causes them to heat up and cool down far quicker than the ground.

Why put pebbles on succulents?

The pebbles you see on top of a succulent arrangement are called top dressing. ... That means that more water gets down to your succulent's roots, and drains out quickly. Sometimes this can prevent the soil from drying out as quickly, but if you're using a well-draining soil it shouldn't be an issue.

Can you reuse potting soil from last year?

With thoughtful handling, you can reuse potting soil in next year's containers, or use it to solve other gardening problems. ... Old potting soil need not be bone dry when you store it, but too much moisture can create cushy conditions for unwanted moldy microbes. Dry soil weighs less, too.

What's the difference between potting soil and potting mix?

ANSWER: Potting soils and potting mixes are the same thing. Most potting materials do not actually have soil (sand/silt/clay) in them. Instead, they are blends of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, sand, finely ground bark, etc. They are sometimes called potting mixes or potting media for that reason.

Why are terracotta pots bad?

The biggest concern regarding terracotta pots is their susceptibility to frost damage. Terracotta pots are vulnerable to changes in temperature and freezing snow. If you are using terracotta for outdoor gardening in cold temperatures, the pot may break or crack due to weather.

What is the best mulch for potted plants?

Coco fiber mulch is a good choice because it is biodegradable yet degrades slowly. It improves soil structure and aerates the soil in your pots and containers. It can hold a bit of water but not so much that your plants will become waterlogged.

Which paint is best for flower pots?

For flower pots that will be used outdoors, use either FolkArt Outdoor or FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint. For painted flower pots that will be used inside, use any of our premium-quality acrylic paints—FolkArt Acrylics, Delta Ceramcoat, or Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint.